21st Century Mythologies Podcast

21st Century Mythologies

BBC Radio 4
Peter Conrad dissects the popular culture of his era, as French semiotician Roland Barthes did 60 years earlier in his Mythologies.
The 9/11 Museum
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining cultural icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e 9/11 Museum.
Oct 24, 2014
11 min
The E-Reader
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e-reader.
Oct 23, 2014
12 min
Celebrity Pets
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, celebrity pets.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
The Oyster Card
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the Oyster Card.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
Her Majesty the Queen
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining popular icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, Her Majesty the Queen.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
Flight MH370
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining pop cultural moments of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, missing flight MH370.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
Oscar Pistorius
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining pop culture icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, Oscar Pistorius.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
The E-Cigarette
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e-cigarette.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
The Cronut
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the Cronut.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
The Kardashians
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut, to the Shard, to today's topic, the Kardashians.
Oct 22, 2014
12 min
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